Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Definition
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies and technologies for ensuring that the proper people have the appropriate access to technology resources. It involves managing user identities and controlling what those identities are allowed to do.
Why It Matters
IAM is the cornerstone of modern security, especially in cloud environments. It provides the tools to enforce the principles of authentication ("who are you?") and authorization ("what are you allowed to do?"), which are essential for protecting data and systems.
Contextual Example
A company uses its IAM system to create a new user account for a new employee. They assign the user to the "Marketing" role, which automatically grants them access to the specific applications and data they need for their job, while denying access to engineering or finance resources.
Common Misunderstandings
- IAM is a broad discipline that includes technologies like Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and role-based access control (RBAC).
- It is a critical component of a Zero Trust security model.